Combined working top and stove or range



July 19,t 1949. f

COMBINED WORKING T OP AND STOVE OR RANGE ATTORNEYS P. P. MosHER Erm.2,476,756

P. P. MOSHER ET AL COMBINED WORKING TOP AND sTovE on RANGE Juiy E9,E949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1944 IIIIIIIIIIHHII'IIA INVENTORSIIIIIIIIIIIIII.

Patented July 19,-194-9 UNITED sTA'r-Es 1miriam# OFFICE l 4 2,470,756COMBINED WORKING TOP AND STOVE RANGE tion of Illinois facturing Company,St. Charles, Ill., a corpora- Application September 23, 1944, Serial No.555,574

6 ciaims. (c1. 12s-a7) This invention relates to working top structuressuch as are used inr kitchens and has more particular reference to whatis known as a counter top or a sink top combined with a stove or range.While our invention is adapted for general application in combinedstructures of this kind it is particularly advantageous when embodied ina combined kitchen cabinet working top and the cooking top of a gas orelectric stove or range.

Heretofore, gas or electric ranges have been co'- ordinated with kitchencabinets usually with one positioned in adjoining relation to anotherand with the cooking top of the stove or range at the same level as theworking top of the cabinet. Such prior constructions have beenobjectionable because of the relatively high heat conduction from thecooking top to the working top which is usually of non-metallicmaterial. Also, movement of heated cooking vessels from the cooking topto the adjoining working top results in burn-v ing and damaging thesurface of the working top. Where linoleum top working surfaces or thelike are used, conduction of heat from the stove tends to loosen thelinoleum covering and thereby reduce the working eilciency of the top aswell as to create an unsightly and unsanitary condition.

An object of our invention is, therefore, to provide an improved workingtop structure which overcomes the objections to prior structures aboverecited.

Another object of our invention is to provide a working top structure ofthe kind described characterized by the provision of a stainless steelor the linoleum or other surface material making up the adjoiningworkingtop surface.

Another object is to `provide an improved working top structure of thecharacter described which may be produced more economically than fullmetal working tops and which combines the advantages of linoleum andmetal top surfaces.

` joined to the tgp in a particularly advantageous manner and in colorsto match various kitchen color combinations.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by thoseskilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewof a combined range and kitchen cabinet embodying our inven- Fig. 2 is aplan view of the metal core piece removed from the top structure;

Fig. 3 vis an end view of said core piece:`

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the stainless steel or Monel metal insertremoved from the top structure;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged vertical sections through the top structuretaken substantially on the section lines 5-6 of Figure 1, Fig. 5 showingthe front half of the top structure and Fig. 6 the rear half.

Fig. 7 is@ further enlarged section vertically through the working topstructure taken substantially on the section line 'I-'I of Figure 1; and

Fig. 8 is a similarly enlarged section vertically through the workingtop structure taken at one of the bolt locations as indicated at 8-8 ofFig. 2.'

In the drawings we have illustrated our invention as applied to a gasstove or range and adjoining base cabinets in a kitchen cabinetassemblyibut it should be understood that any cooking top may be usedwhether or not it is used with, a range and regardless of the kind ortype of heating means used for cooking. In this instance the stove orrange unit designated gen- Another object is to provide the fabricationof a working top composed of a one-piece top or insert installed overa-stove or range and the adjoining cabinet structure, together with acovering for the remainder of the working top composed of linoleum orsimilar material mounted and erally by II is of la type having'four topburners I2 each surmounted by a gri;A I on which the cooking vessel isadapted to be \\supported, an oven I4 having a front door I5, andan ovenvent or outlet I6 which discharges the spent products of combustionthrough an ornamental1 grill Il. This illustrative'embodiment alsoincludes base cabinets IB and I9 respectively adjoining opposite sidesof the cooking range. These base cabinets are adapted to have a countertop or working top substantially coplanar with the cooking top of thestove or range, and this top may be of greater or less length than thatshown in Figure l and it may be extended in angular relation at the endsto conform with walls or with various cabinet arrangements. This top mayalso include a-kitchen sink or other modifications while'retaining thecharacteristic features of our invention. The

' width of the stove top. This core plate is supported on a suitableframe structure or on a structure coordinated with the base cabinets andthe stove or range. Supporting mem-bers are shown at 23 in Figure 6 and24 in Figure '7. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, front portion 25 of thecore plate is turned downwardly and inwardly in a channel shape so as toilt and restV within the channel of a metal trim molding 26 which inthis instance extends entirely around thelfront and sides of the countertop. The

core plate may be rigidly fastened down to the supporting frame by bolts(not shown) passing through openings 21 in the corners of the plate.

lififpening 28 in the back of the core plate allows for `passage of theoven outlet i6. 'I'he combined working surface for'the base cabinets andthe stove or range is composed of a sheet metal insert of stainlesssteel or Monel metal designated generally by 23 and one or more sheetsof linoleum or similar material 3l and 32 according to whether thecounter top of our invention is provided at one or both sides of thestove or range. As shown in Figure 4, this insert has an opening 33registering with the opening 22 in the core plate and an opening 34registering with the opening 28.- The openings 22 and 33 provide spacefor the cooking top, which in this instance comprises four top burnersl2 and a grill structure i3 assembled in association with a burner panas described below. The openings 23 and 34 provide space fo'r clearanceof an oven vent or outlet I6 above mentioned. It will be observed thatthe insert is shaped to provide a top working surface surrounding thecooking top and extending substantially beyond each side thereof andthat this top *surface is substantially coplanar with the cooking top of4 A top insert. In the embodiment here shown the extension 4I comprisesa Z-shaped member having a lower horizontal member or ledge I2 and anupper horizontal member 43 whichv is welded to the underside of the topinsert. This ledge 42 extends entirely around the opening 33 as shown inFigure 4. In each corner location 44 a supporting bolt 45 is mounted onthe lower ledge 42 and serves as an adjustable support for the burnerpan 39. The outer rim of this burner pan is preferably turned down asshown in Figures 5 and 6 so that the burner pan is located againstlateral displacement as well as being supported by the adjustablebolts.- Also, by means of this supporting construction the burner panand grills may be levelled or adjusted with .respect to the top workingsurface.

lar material together with the working top of stainless steel or Monelmetal or the like provide a combined working top having Aa substantiallycontinuous top surface and that this surface extends to andaround thecooking top of the stove. It will also be observed that cooking vesselsmay be freely -moved backend forth between the cooking top and the topWorking surface which surrounds the cooking top, without burning ordamaging this top working surface. Another advantage of thisconstruction is that the top insert structure provides a good heatabsorbing area around the cooking top and one not subject todeterioration from heat so that in the normal use of a stove or rangeheat from the burners is substantially dissipated before reaching thelinoleum top surface. This is advantageous in preserving the resilientand softer material of this composition top surface, thereby protectingit against damage by y heat from the burners and also protecting its thestove. As shown in Figurel 'I the end portion of the insert overlaps thelinoleum member, the latter being recessed or rabited at 35 to receivethe. core plate. 'I'his makes a bonded joint between two top 'surfacemembers, providing a smooth and almost imperceptible joint. The linoleumstrip is cemented throughout its bottom surface to the Vcore plate 2|. Alayer of asbestos 3B or suitable insulation material is interposedbetween the core plate and the insert as shown, covering the. entirearea between the linoleum sheets and the stove area and extending aroundthis stove area at the front and back as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Inorder to uniformly and permanently secure the top insert member in thedesired position we have provided a plurality of bolts 31 welded at oneend to the underside of the top insert member 29 and extending throughopenings in the asbestos sheet Vand the core sheet and having a nutthreaded on the bottom end serving to clamp these members together. Thisclamping means shown in Figure 8 is applied in each of the openings 38.

We have also provided means whereby the top insert is Iutilized forsupporting the top burner grills. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, each topburner grill I3 seats in a burner pan 39 which in turn is supported onan extension 4i of the .bond or attachment to the core plate. Thisavoids the tendency in prior constructions toward loosening the coveringmaterial, which loosening tends to reduce the working eiilciency of thetop and to create an unsightly and unsanitary condition with ultimatedamage to the linoleum or similar covering material. It will also beobserved that according to our invention the use of a protectivestainless steel or Monel metal insert which will cover the surfaceimmediately surrounding the cooking top and to a substantial distance ateach side thereof, together with the use of a. linoleum or similarcovering material, with a basic steel core for the remainder of theworking top, serves not only to produce the functional advantages statedbut to eiect a considerable saving in the cost-of manufacture.

Another advantage resulting from our invention is that a veryserviceable and durable Working top for a combined structure of thecharacter described is obtainable with linoleum or composition topsurfaces of different colors adapted to match the' color scheme of thekitchen. Another advantage of our improved fabricated working topstructure is that it eliminates warping of the structure under theinfluence of heat from the cooking top and it also insures a smooth andpermanent joint between the top surfaces.

Another advantage is that this structure .may be stove or range. It willalso be manifest that our invention may be applied in what is known as acounter top or a sink top in combination with a stove or range and thatthe stainless steel or Monel metal insert may be applied in any locationin the sink or work top or in a top of any suitable dimension or design.

In the claims the term "stainless steel is used to also deine Monelmetal'or any material having the same general characteristics, and theterm linoleum" to mean any similar or equivalent material.

It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of ourinvention and that changes may be made in details of construction andcomposition of materials without departing from the spirit and scope ofour invention as expressed in the appended claims. in which- We claim:

1. A working top unit for a kitchen cabinet and a stove or range in sideby side relation comprising. in combination, a sheet metal core coveringthe entire top of the cabinet and having an opening for the cooking topof the stove or range, a stainless steel working top overlying a portionof the core and providing working areas at the marginal side portions ofthe cooking top and extending over a substantial top portion of thecabinet adjacent to the sides of the cooking top, a linoleum working topoverlying the remaining top of the core and underlapping the contiguousportion of the stainless steel working top, said stainless steel workingtop providing an area between the cooking top and the linoleum workingtop that is not subject to deterioration from heat and being ofsubstantial width forand having an opening for the cooking top of thestove or range, a stainless steel working top overlying the core andproviding working top Y areas at the marginal side portions of thecooking top and extending over a substantial top portion of the cabinetadjacent to the sides of the cooking top, a linoleum working topoverlying the remaining top of the core and underlapping the contiguousportion of the stainless steel working top. said stainless steel workingtop providing an area between the cooking top and the linoleum workingtop that is not subject to deterioration from heat and being ofsubstantial width for supporting cooking utensils slid sidewise from thecooking top, linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of thecore and underlapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steelworking top. the linoleum being bonded directly to the sheet metal core,heat insulation material interposed between the stainless steel workingtop and the sheet metal core. and means uniting the stainless steelworking top to the sheet metal coreatlocalizedspotsintheareacoveredbythe insulation material.

3. A kitchen cabinet assembly comprising a cabinet unit and a range unitin side by side relation provided with a working top unit common to bothunits. said range unithaving a cooking top. said working top structurecomprising a sheet metal core covering substantially the entire top 6 ofboth units and having an opening for the cooking top. a sheet metalinsert covering said sheet metal core except for a working top area overthe cabinet unit at a side thereof remote from the range `unit andextending from front to back of the cabinet unit, said sheet metalinsert providing a top surface of substantial width adjoining said sideof the cooking top extending from front to back of the. cabinet unit andbeing coplanar with the cooking top for supporting cooking utensils slidsidewise therefrom, a working top of sheet linoleum covering saidworking top area over said core and forming with the adjoining topportion of the insert a continuous working top surface, and a layer ofinsulation material between said core and the superimposed sheet metalinsert. A

4. A working top unit for a combined kitchen cabinet and a stove orrange in side by side relation comprising, in combination,- a sheetmetal core covering substantially the entire top of the cabinet, astainless steelV working top overlying a portion of the core so as toprovide a working top area at one side of the cooking top of the rangeand extending over a substantial top portion of the cabinet, and alinoleum working top overlying the remaining top portion of the core andunder-lapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steel working top,the top of the stainless steel working top and the top of the linoleumvproviding a continuous working surface, said stainless steel working topproviding a good heat insulation between the cooking top and thelinoleum working top and serving to support hot vessels slid sidewisefrom the cooking top.

5. A working top unit for a combined kitchen cabinet and a stove orrangey as set forth in claim tions of the cooking top and providingsubstantial working top areas at the opposite sides of the cooking top.and a linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of the core, saidstainless steel working top providing an area between the cooking topand the linoleum working top that is not subject to deterioration fromheat and being of substantial width for supporting cooking utensils slidsidewise from the cooking top.

PHILIP P. MOSHER.

A ALFRED F. WALLER.

ltEl-`li1tENCESA CITED The following references are of record in the Yle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namo Dato 727,251 Allen May 5, 1903856,366- Quack July 11, 1907 1,887,297 Neuber et al, Nov. 1, 19322,023,692 McQuinn Dec. 10, 1935 2,054,687 Weiland et al. Sept. 15, 19382,180,459 Y Earle Nov. 21, 1939 2,328,129

Earle Aut. 31,1943

